SupplierPage

Welcome to Purchasing Services!!

Purchasing Services, along with Mail Services and Furniture and Design Services, are three departments under the umbrella of Resource Management.

The Purchasing Services office provides assistance to all departments in the procurement of products and services to support the overall University goals of research and education. In keeping with those goals, and the overall standard of excellence associated with Washington University, Purchasing Services works closely with the University’s supplier community on a daily basis.

An integral part of that work is ensuring that all qualified businesses seeking to establish a business relationship with the University have that opportunity.

* How we conduct business
* Conflict of Interest Policy
* Contact Information
* Value Proposition
* Supplier Diversity Iniative (SDI)
* Parking & Traffic Regulations

How we conduct business

Purchasing Services has implemented a program that is designed to maximize the purchasing power of the University by contracting with suppliers in numerous product and service areas. The results of these contracts are:

- Significant cost savings to the University
- Improved levels of customer service to University departments
- Increased volume with contracted suppliers

Purchasing Services works closely with supplier representatives to monitor contract utilization and measure the value of these contracts to the University.

Following are several steps designed to help companies interested in engaging in business with Washington University.

Initial Contact – Call us, write us, send us information about your company, its history, products, and/or services. If you wish to meet with a contract manager we ask that you call first to set up an appointment. Solicitation is not permitted on campus.

Meeting – Once we know who you are and what it is you sell we’ll suggest a meeting should your products or services seem to be compatible with our needs. We’ll be happy to visit with you at your site, providing you an opportunity to educate us about your capabilities.

Communication –After the initial meeting, it is imperative that we maintain routine, open communication. Should we pursue a contractual relationship with your firm, we will discuss with you the appropriate method for you to propose to us. We will share with you the timing of the proposal process, business parameters your proposal should address and anticipated business any resulting contract may bring.

Contract Implementation – Should your proposal result in a contract through a bid or negotiation process, Purchasing Services will work closely with your firm to launch the agreement to all potential University customers. We will discuss with you an array of creative methods that can be used to educate those customers about your products, all designed to promote contract growth by demonstrating the value of the contract.

Measurement – Continuing with the communication theme, routine business review meetings are necessary to provide a forum for you to review the progress of the contract with Purchasing Services. In these meetings we review sales reports, customer reactions, perceived problems, and anything else pertinent to the well - being of the contract.

These steps are designed to ensure that doing business with Washington University is an experience that will allow both your firm and the University to achieve our respective goals. The University’s hope is that an initial contract will be the first step in the establishment of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Conflict of Interest Policy
Washington University recently updated its “Procurement Conflict of Interest Policy” outlining specified guidelines for University employees to follow while conducting business on behalf of the University. This policy is to ensure that all University employees, while conducting business on behalf of the University, do so in an objective and ethical manner. We ask that you read this policy carefully and adhere to it in your business dealings with all employees and representatives of Washington University

Contact Information:

Write to us at:
Washington University in St. Louis
Purchasing Services
700 Rosedale
Campus Box 1069
St. Louis, MO 63112

Or check the Purchasing Services Staff Directory for contact information.

If you cannot clearly identify which individual would handle your particular product or service, please call Kris Smith at (314) 935-5649.

Value Proposition

Product/Service Quality – The products or services we acquire must be of optimal quality to match the University’s particular needs.

Service – Suppliers with whom Washington University deals fulfill all necessary service requirements on a timely basis in the normal course of conducting business.

Economic Value – The University strives to attain maximum economic value in all business transactions.

Detail is paid to all components of the value equation as well as acquisition price, cost in use, and other business terms and conditions.

Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI)

It is the policy of Washington University that in acquiring products and services the University promotes an environment in which all firms, regardless of size or ownership, have an opportunity to do business with the University. This is a fundamental business practice of Purchasing Services. If your firm is a certified Minority Business Enterprise, please inform us and provide us with an MBE certification in your initial contact. Through our Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI) we strive to actively seek out companies with whom we can achieve a business relationship that accomplishes the above goals of quality product and optimal customer service.

For more information on the University’s Supplier Diversity Program please contact:

Sandra Marks – Director of Supplier Diversity (314) 935-7948 or Gary Maus (314) 935-7052

Parking and Traffic Regulations

While visiting the University for business purposes, it is important to comply with all parking and traffic regulations. Parking on Danforth Campus may require appropriate parking tags. Parking garages and metered parking are available on the Medical School campus.

To avoid being ticketed and possibly towed, never park in fire lanes or crosswalks. Do not park in spaces reserved for the handicapped without appropriate credentials.

Contact the department you are visiting should you have questions on parking options available or you may contact the Parking and Transportation office directly at 935-5601. They are located at 700 Rosedale Avenue.

Map to Purchasing Services.